Gregory Richard Barden Poet Lyric

Notes About The Poem

** This is a song I wrote and recorded over 30 years ago on a four-track cassette deck in my bedroom, while attending college in Boston. Please watch for my upcoming album on a major label, (under my music moniker "Bahku"), that will include a couple of the old tunes and many NEW ones. This song was written when I was very disenchanted with the hypocrisy I saw within the church and religion in general. I hope you like it! (I did all the writing and production on this recording, and played all the instruments - a VERY long time ago). **

Given the Chance

(Verse 1)

Lost in life
They're checking out the way you seek
The talk is all over town
Worrying about the fruit you bear
It's gonna be so bittersweet

But I know them
I know their confusion
What's right for you
Ain't always right for them
They use up all their holy water
Washing their hands of you and your sins
But that ain't Him, no ...

(B)

He wants you where you are
He wants you where you've been

(Chorus)

Given the chance
They'll tear you with the law
Given the chance
They're gonna hurt you
Given the chance
They'll show you just how clean they are
So don't give 'em a chance
Don't give 'em a chance
Just stand on The Word
On The Word

(Verse 2)

Left and right
You see the world through eyes that tear
At the mention of His name
And yet they think they're
So much more than you
Cuz you don't play their game

These people will judge you
They'll prod and compare
But these people will never know
All the weight that you've gotta bear
Sorry, Brother ...
You don't measure up
With what we need
They'll never see, no

(B)

He'll take you where you are
He'll take you where you've been

(Chorus)

Given the chance
They'll tear you with the law
Given the chance
They're gonna hurt you
Given the chance
They'll show you just how clean they are
So don't give 'em a chance
Don't give 'em a chance
Just stand on The Word
On The Word
Oh ...

(Bridge & Guitar Solo)

(B)

He loves you where you are
He loves you where you've been

(Chorus)

Given the chance
They'll tear you with the law
Given the chance
They're gonna hurt you
Given the chance
They'll show you just how clean they are
So don't give 'em a chance
Don't give them the chance

Given the chance
They'll tear you with the law
Given the chance
They're gonna hurt you
Given the chance
They'll show you just how clean they are
So don't give 'em a chance
Don't give them the chance

(Out - Repeat Ad Nauseum)

Copyright 1984 Ganymede Music - BMI

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John Hamilton May 10, 2017 at 11:45 AM Great writing again Greg, so many people left organized religion in the 80's, too much hypocrisy, doesn't mean they don't believe, there is still truth out there, like you say, stand on the Word of God. Loved the guitar solo reminds me of Pat Metheny, saw him in concert in Toronto years ago! Gregory Richard Barden May 15, 2017 at 6:24 PM Funny you mentioned Pat Metheny as I have seen him many times, met him, and took private improv lessons from his brother, Mike, (who is a great horn player), while I was at Berklee! Pat stopped in to visit Mike a couple of times while I was there, and I also went to a workshop he gave. One of my favorite guitarists. Gregory Richard Barden May 15, 2017 at 6:24 PM I'm still in touch with Mike from time-to-time on Facebook. Gregory Richard Barden May 15, 2017 at 6:23 PM Thanks for the compliment, my friend, glad you liked the solo, (though I am a MUCH better guitarist now - 30 years later, haha!).

Darren White May 6, 2017 at 3:13 PM Repeat ad nauseam? Hahahaha Love that addition, almost missed it :) You have been working hard, moving so many of your wonderful lyrics and music to here, I love it :) Gregory Richard Barden May 15, 2017 at 6:19 PM Thanks, Buddy - just catching up on replies today, (more than a week later, lol), so I hope people check back here! "Ad nauseum" is actually the correct phrase in songwriting and not added as a joke by me, (though it may seem so, haha!) - Latin is used often for musical terms, and ad nauseum just means "as long as you want". ;-)